TAMPA — Phil Hughes’ back is without pain. However, the slider can use some help.

Hughes, who remains a question mark to start the season in the rotation, made it through a 27-pitch bullpen session this morning at Steinbrenner Field.

“I am pain free which is the biggest issue now it’s just a matter of getting back in the swing of things,” said Hughes following his first full bullpen session since being sidelined early in camp. He threw 10 pitches off a mound Saturday. “I was kind of disappointed with a couple of things but overall I got through it without any issues and that was a big step.”

The fact that Hughes could be annoyed with a misbehaving slider is a strong indication the discomfort from a bulging disk in the upper back has been eliminated.

“My slider at the end was terrible but I threw one good one at the end and at least I can end on a good note,” Hughes said.

According to Hughes he will throw batting practice Thursday. After that it could be a simulated or exhibition game.

As for if there is enough time for Hughes to pitch during the first trip through the Yankees’ rotation, he deferred pitching coach Larry Rothschild.

“That is a question for Larry. I know he has his dates when I have to do certain things by,” Hughes said. “I don’t know what they are off the top of my head. He has dates in mind where I have to be in a game by. He would know better than I would but I don’t think it’s out of the question.”

Hughes’ health will impact what the Yankees’ rotation looks like. If he can avoid the DL, Ivan Nova or David Phelps will be the fifth starter while the other likely opens as a reliever. If Hughes has to be shelved Nova and Phelps are starters.

Despite the annoyance with the slider, Hughes was pleased with the workout.

“Today was a big step. (Saturday) I was just feeling my way through. Today was like I was throwing a normal bullpen,” Hughes said. “I was letting it go. It was a big positive.”

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Infielder Gil Velazquez returned to Yankees camp yesterday and was immediately asked about the WBC brawl between Mexico and Canada Saturday.

“I was making sure nobody got sucker punched,” said Velazquez, a member of Mexico’s squad. “It was hard to tell who was who, everyone was wearing red.”

Velazquez was disappointed in Mexico’s fans behavior. One of Canada’s coaches got hit in the face with an object.

“It was kind of bad. Me being from Mexico it shouldn’t have happened,” Velazquez said.

While some people believe the brawl raised the awareness of the WBC, Velazquez thinks it took away from Mexico’s win over the United States.

“We beat them and instead of us playing good baseball they are talking (about the brawl),” Velazquez said.